Become a Fashion Stylist - Degree & Certification

<h3 id="section---WhatIsAFashionStylist">What is a Fashion Stylist?</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Fashion_Stylist_Career_and_Salary_FAQs.html">Fashion stylists</a> are responsible for selecting the clothing, make-up, hairstyles, and accessories seen everywhere from photo shoots to movie premieres. As a fashion stylist, you will work to help visually realize the ideas of a director or photographer. There is no single path to a career as a fashion stylist, but work experience, networking, and formal training are all helpful in landing jobs. Through various modes of training, you can learn how to execute appropriate styling for photo shoots, videos, and live performances. </p> <h3 id="section---HowToBecomeAStylist">How to Become a Stylist</h3> <p>There is no one, set path to becoming a fashion stylist. Those interested in the field typically pursue some combination of coursework, internships or on-the-job experience, and professional certification. The following sections discuss these options. </p> <h4 id="section---EducationalRequirements">Educational Requirements</h4> <p>Although no specific educational requirements exist, having formal education could help your career. To become a fashion stylist, you might take individual courses to supplement on-the-job training, or you may take advantage of fashion stylist certification programs or related degree programs. Examples of fashion stylist degree programs include fashion and retail marketing, visual communication, fashion merchandising, and fashion design; some schools also offer fashion stylist specializations within these programs. As a student in one of these programs, you may encounter topics such as: </p> <ul><li>Trends and design </li><li>Marketing </li><li>Photo shoot planning </li><li>Fashion styling for media </li><li>Styling tricks of the trade </li><li>Fundamentals of styling and fit </li><li>Fashion industry principles </li></ul><h4 id="section---WorkExperience">Work Experience</h4> <p>Formal courses will enhance your professional knowledge, but real-world, hands-on training can also help jump-start your career as a fashion stylist. You can gain this valuable experience in the fashion styling field by apprenticing with an established fashion stylist. Internships with major retailers such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, or Saks Fifth Avenue can also help you gain important experience, such as coordinating photo shoots and fashion shows. </p> <h4 id="section---Certification">Certification</h4> <p>The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) offers professional certification as a certified image consultant, which can be valuable in the field of fashion styling. To obtain this certification you must pass a written exam and submit a portfolio of your work in fashion styling. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutFashionStylists">Important Facts About Fashion Stylists</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Online Course Availability </td><td> Fully online fashion-related programs are available</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills </td><td> Artistic ability, business and marketing, creativity, eye for detail, good communication, knowledge of textiles and trends</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> While some stylists work for production studios or large retail companies, many are self-employed; weekend/evening hours are common</td></tr> <tr><td>Similar Occupations </td><td> Purchasing Manager/Agent, Art Director, Model</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---PossibleAlternativeCareers">Possible Alternative Careers</h3> <p>If you're interested in the field of fashion, you could also consider a career in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Duties_and_Responsibilities_of_a_Fashion_Designer.html">fashion design</a>, which paid a median annual salary of $72,720 in May 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Is_the_Job_Description_of_an_Art_Director.html">Art directors</a> earned a median salary of $92,780 during that same year. Purchasing managers earned $118,940, per the BLS.</p>